The objective was successfully achieved!
Of course, this was merely the first step. Although alien beasts were relatively simpler than humans, it didn't mean they lacked their own subtle intentions.
Li Zhonglou then infused his internal energy and aura into them.
"Don't you dare play any tricks on me. I can control this internal energy, and you know the consequences."
What was considered playing tricks?
The three beasts exchanged glances.
"You'll explode with a bang, like a watermelon, with your insides splattered everywhere."
Li Zhonglou drew a large circle. At this moment, a heart was placed on the ground, and the attention of the three ferocious beasts was fixed upon it.
Upon hearing this, the fur on the three beasts' bodies bristled instantly. They stared at Li Zhonglou with looks of terror.
Concurrently, the three beasts frantically probed their own bodies, attempting to locate the explosive substance Li Zhonglou had just injected.
Naturally, they were incapable of finding it. Li Zhonglou's words were purely meant to intimidate them.
"Stop looking. This is how this thing died in my hands. If you don't believe me, you can believe it."
Pointing to the still-warm heart on the ground, the three beasts took a step back in unison.
The fear in their eyes was unmistakable.
Li Zhonglou let out a cold snort, "I'm not joking with you. Feel free to enjoy the heart, but you must guard this place for me. No one is allowed to pass through here except me. Do you hear me!"
Gulp.
If the three beasts were initially intimidated by the seven layers of aura emanating from Li Zhonglou, they were now completely awestruck by the man himself!
Humans were truly as terrifying as the legends said!
"Alright, I have other matters to attend to. I'll leave this place to you."
Li Zhonglou turned and left after speaking.
He left the three ferocious beasts staring at each other.
"Xiao Li, is this really alright? Don't you need to subdue them further?" Elder An asked with some uncertainty.
Li Zhonglou spread his hands. "What other choice do we have? I don't know how to subdue them, so this is the only way. If they obey, I'll keep them. If they don't, I'll kill them next time I come. At worst, I'll let Xiao Bai guard the entrance."
This was a passage that connected to the underground world. In Li Zhonglou's opinion, it was far more precious than any special ore.
When he first went to the underground world, he had heard from Mei Niang that while there were more than one passage connecting to the surface world, they were all controlled by the major countries. Outsiders wishing to enter had to undergo their review!
Now, with the sudden appearance of a new passage, if Li Zhonglou could utilize this place properly, it might very well become his greatest gain since arriving in Shangjing!
Therefore, letting Xiao Bai guard it was not just a casual remark; he genuinely had that intention.
Elder An also understood that despite the importance of this place, they currently lacked better conditions, and could only handle it this way. He sighed, "Xiao Li, your growth is still too slow."
Li Zhonglou replied helplessly, "What can I do? Have you ever seen anyone more unlucky than me?"
He possessed a tremendous opportunity, breaking through to the seventh layer, but due to soul damage, he was sent back to square one.
If not for his limitations, Yuan Bei and the other two would never have been able to leave the company premises at that time!
Elder An sighed and fell silent.
After exiting the stone door, the toxic gas outside had gradually dissipated. On his way, Li Zhonglou noticed that the living grass had also withered.
Clearly, it had spread to this area as well.
This was also why he dared to come out and investigate.
"I just don't know when they will return."
Scratching his head, Li Zhonglou suddenly felt a sense of unease.
Although the gas was gone, the people outside didn't know that. If they waited a day or two before coming in, his mission would be in jeopardy!
However, there was nothing he could do but wait.
"Forget it, let's go looting, cough, let's go explore."
Li Zhonglou shook his head.
The previous situation had unfolded extremely suddenly. Li Zhonglou believed that most people didn't have time to pack much before rushing out. Even if a small portion managed to, they only took core items.
This place, being the temporary encampment of the three factions, surely still had many good things!
"It would be even more perfect if there were blood crystals."
Li Zhonglou chuckled, momentarily casting aside his worries about the mission.
People should live their lives in a way that brings them happiness, even if it's a happiness they choose for themselves.
At the island nation's camp, he found three weapons and a pile of medicine, one of which even had an effect on soul damage!
In comparison, the Black Forest side was much poorer, yielding only some cash, which was of little help to Li Zhonglou.
Finally, he searched his own territory.
Indeed, upon entering, Li Zhonglou immediately spotted something good.
"Is this Heavenly Soul Grass?"
Whether by coincidence or not, a glass dome casually placed on the ground contained grass-like material that was exactly the Heavenly Soul Grass he had left with the Grandmaster for alchemy!
Of course, it wasn't the same plant.
And the one before him was clearly more than half the size of his own, and it appeared less vibrant.
"Strange, why would there be Heavenly Soul Grass here?"
Logically, this kind of thing could only grow in places with spiritual energy, and the concentration of spiritual energy couldn't be low. The spiritual energy in the large tree in the center of the lake in downtown Shangjing, for instance, didn't even reach one percent of the standard!
Therefore, seeing Heavenly Soul Grass here was definitely not a normal occurrence!
Well, Li Zhonglou decided to take it directly and consume it raw.
Without alchemy, its true efficacy would be significantly reduced, likely by less than half. But for Li Zhonglou, it was still quite good.
This was his first time consuming Heavenly Soul Grass, and he never expected that this thing would require meditation to digest!
Feeling a surge of heat in his stomach, Li Zhonglou could only say to Elder An helplessly, "I'll have to entrust the vigilance to you for now. I didn't expect the efficacy of this item to be so potent."
After speaking, he quickly sat down cross-legged, directing all the internal energy in his body to his abdomen to stabilize the violent medicinal power.
Elder An acknowledged him and took over some of the control, vigilantly guarding the surroundings.
Time passed quickly, but Li Zhonglou was oblivious. He never imagined that the medicinal power of Heavenly Soul Grass would be so overbearing, and its digestion process was no different from a battle!
Outside the underground mine.
Ten minutes after the cave entrance was completely sealed, everyone reluctantly and sorrowfully accepted reality. Just as they were about to leave, Tian Yi suddenly clenched his fist and shouted, "We cannot just let Lord Li sacrifice himself like this!"
Everyone's gaze immediately shifted towards him.
Tian Yi, with tears in his eyes, said sadly, "Although this is the first time Lord Li and I have met, we hit it off immediately and became like true brothers."
The others were somewhat surprised, completely not expecting Tian Yi to have such an intimate relationship with Lord Li.
However, no one doubted his words.